Acts Devotional Week 3

April 29, 2012

Acts 3:1-10

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon.  And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

There was a lame man begging at a gate.  Most would ignore him.  Some would give him a little bit of money or maybe a bite to eat.  He did this everyday.  It was routine.  It was life as he knew it…until he encountered Peter and John.  When he asked them for help, they stopped and paid attention.  They got the lame man’s attention.  Something was about to happen.  In the middle of this man’s routine God was at work.  In the middle of our routine God is at work…often in unexpected ways.

What happened next was not expected.  Peter doesn't give the lame man money or food.  Instead he gives him health and new life.  “In the name of Jesus, stand up and walk” and that is exactly what happened.  The lame man didn't need gold or silver.  He didn't need to spend his life crippled and begging at a gate.  Our God heals.  Every one of us needs the healing touch of God.  Most of our hurts aren't seen physically, but we can be crippled relationally, emotionally, and spiritually.  God’s desire is to heal his people.  To heal us.

When the lame man encountered the disciples of Jesus he found healing.  The same should be true when people encounter us, the church.  God works in our lives.  He heals.  As a church we must recognize and celebrate God’s healing touch.  When people saw this formerly lame man they were amazed and worshiped God.  We are the lame man.  As believers, let us show others God’s healing work as we worship him in all aspects of our lives.